Dos and Don’t s when it comes to Estate Sales

Some sellers have a house full of belongings that they need to dispose of before putting their home on the market. In these cases, an estate sale may be required to get rid of the items quickly while also putting a little extra cash in your pocket.

Dos and Don’t s when it comes to Estate Sales

Here are a few tips we would like to pass along to sellers to make your experience working with an estate sale company smooth and profitable.

Don’t…

Throw anything away. Likewise, don’t casually give items to friends and family, thinking they’re not really worth much. Let the estate sale pro take a look at assets prior to deciding to get rid of something.
Cancel your utilities or home insurance policy prior to the sale. Oftentimes, local officials won’t allow a sale to be held at a home without having running water or electricity. Also, you will be held legally responsible for any accidents that occur during the sale, so you want your homeowner’s insurance to still be in effect.
Remove items after the estate sale company’s walk-through. Doing so will more than likely breach your contract and may result in cancellation of your sale. Removing items after they’ve been advertised for sale is unethical and may even result in legal action.
Participate in pricing items or conducting the sale. The estate sale company, whose fee is generally a percentage of the total proceeds of the sale, has in-depth understanding of current values and will price accordingly. Some companies may permit you to set a minimum price for a few special items. Also, members of the family shouldn’t be present during the sale, since they may reminisce with neighbors and other attendees-which can negatively impact sales.
Expect to be paid right after the sale. The estate sale company will need time to ensure that all check and credit card sales clear and there are no disputes about any items purchased. This could take extra time if you choose to sell some items online. After the sale, the company should send you a check-any fees will be deducted-typically within Thirty days.

Do…

Choose the right kind of sale. A reputable estate sale company can help you decide whether an auction or garage sale is a good forum for your types of belongings. An estate sale ideally is made up of an entire household of items, from special antiques or collectibles to useful household goods, and services will include organizing and staging, photography, advertising and signage, and post-sale disposal of remaining items.
Make certain to obtain a written contract. A contract details the responsibilities and obligations of both the seller and estate sale company. Don’t choose a company that doesn’t offer a contract. Before you sign, make sure that all heirs and interested parties are in agreement with the sale plans.
Schedule the sale as far in advance as possible. A lot of companies are booked months ahead of time. In the event the first company you call isn’t available in your time frame, check with another company. To have the best possible sale, the company needs to have sufficient time to advertise it properly.
Remove family heirlooms and items you want to keep before the walk-through. The company bases its acceptance of your sale on the value assessed at the walk-through. In the event you remove items after the walk-through, you may be charged commission on those items.
Negotiate access to the home. Ask the estate sale company to commit to a certain time frame when they will have to be in your home because you’ll want to make it accessible for buyer showings as quickly as possible. Have a set of house keys ready to give to the company, as they’ll need frequent access to set up. Most will ask that you not hand out any other sets of keys at this point since they’re accepting responsibility for the items.

Nick & Cindy Davis have assisted hundreds of our clients sell their home here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding Areas. We can work with you even if you are out of state. If you are interested in seeing what the value of your home is.  You can always reach us at 813-300-7116 or simply click here:

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